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ceasarl's review against another edition
4.0
Classic Gladwell. Very insightful and with his writing style that makes it seem that you're sitting with him listening to him tell interesting stories. I enjoyed this read.
If you like Gladwell, you will like this book. Of yyou don't, stay away
If you like Gladwell, you will like this book. Of yyou don't, stay away
bookwoman1967's review against another edition
1.0
So if I grab a few interesting details (yes, there were some), quote huge chunks of other people's remarks, and make a habit of "handing simple, vacuous truths to people and dressing them up with flowery language and an impressionistic take on the scientific method,"* then I can become a bestselling author?
This is rare, something from Canada I dislike. Add Malcolm Gladwell to the list that includes the Ottawa truckers and poutine.
*Ashlee Vance
This is rare, something from Canada I dislike. Add Malcolm Gladwell to the list that includes the Ottawa truckers and poutine.
*Ashlee Vance
lazy_raven's review against another edition
2.0
DNF! I didn't like the audiobook format. Had too much music, sound effects, and poor quality audio recordings of 1930-40 TV interviews in with the narrator. Would have a 3 second clip of a voice then the narrator would come back on and say "do you recognize that voice, you should its *insert name*". Got 30% through the book (ch 6), so far only 5 min about the actual Bomber Mafia. Mostly reminds me of when a history teacher goes off on tangents that vaguely relate to the main subject. Ill be looking for more books about the Bomber Mafia because thats what Im interested in, but I will avoid this author at all costs.
cooknick's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
2.0
This read more like a podcast transcript than like a real book. I like Revisionist History, so I wouldn't have expected the writing style to bother me, but it did.
scottlepsch's review against another edition
3.0
Listened to the audiobook and while entertaining, it seems like a long Malcolm Gladwell podcast episode. Doesn't go deep enough into the subject and it always feels like he's trying to sell something. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone who likes Gladwell or wants a WW2 snack.
wintrovia's review against another edition
4.0
Rather than the usual social psychology kind of book, this one is more of a war history but still benefits from Gladwell's excellent storytelling ability.
The books is framed around two different people and their approach to bombing strategy in the US Air Force during World War 2. By looking at history through these frames it makes you ask questions about some of the grisly aspects of war and consider that maybe it wasn't as simple as a battle between good and evil.
I read this as an ebook rather than listened to the audiobook and honestly feel like I might have missed out. Unlike many books, this was first conceived as an audio experience and then retrospectively converted into a paper book. So if you have the choice I'd recommend the audio version which has original audio recordings of interviews and is produced to the standard of a high-end podcast.
The books is framed around two different people and their approach to bombing strategy in the US Air Force during World War 2. By looking at history through these frames it makes you ask questions about some of the grisly aspects of war and consider that maybe it wasn't as simple as a battle between good and evil.
I read this as an ebook rather than listened to the audiobook and honestly feel like I might have missed out. Unlike many books, this was first conceived as an audio experience and then retrospectively converted into a paper book. So if you have the choice I'd recommend the audio version which has original audio recordings of interviews and is produced to the standard of a high-end podcast.